Osteoporosis Canada is the only national organization serving people affected by osteoporosis. The organization works to educate, empower and support individuals and communities on bone and muscle health and in the risk-reduction and treatment of osteoporosis with a renewed focus on reducing fragility fractures.
MISSION
Empower Canadians To Optimize Their Bone And Muscle Health And Improve The Lives Of Those Affected By Osteoporosis
VISION
Canada Without Fragility Fractures
VALUES
Respect Integrity Inclusivity Innovation
Osteoporosis Canada is proud of the bold strides and progress made this past year in advocating, innovating, serving and supporting individuals in their bone and muscle health across the country.
Our organization continues on the roadmap to 2029, working towards the goals and objectives of ourcurrent five-year strategic plan of driving and guiding fracture reduction, increasing Canadians awareness to optimize their bone + muscle health and to drive organizational resilience to ensure sustainability and growth.
Under our expanded mandate to help meet the current and growing needs of those living with osteoporosis, fragility fractures and rare bone disease, Osteoporosis Canada continues to be advised by healthcare professionals to provide evidence-based research, information and education, to collaborate with persons with lived experience and to engage with like-minded partners.
People living with diseases and conditions that impact bone and muscle can lose their independence, their confidence and happiness, often living a life they did not envision for themselves.
Thanks to donors, partners, volunteers and dedicated staff – we can continue to shine a light on people living with and caring for those with osteoporosis, rare bone diseases like hypophosphatasia (HPP), Xlinked hypophosphatemia (XLH) and associated fragility fractures – to feel seen, to be empowered, inspired and connected.
Every step made, is done in partnership with you. Together, we will continue to advocate for timely diagnosis and equitable access to treatment, to impress upon Canadians the importance of proactive bone and muscle health, to support and serve individuals as they navigate their diagnosis so that people can live well and to invest and innovate in evidence-based resources, healthcare tools and programs and support services for those that need them most.
Together, we will make Canadians unbreakable.
With heartfelt thanks,
Dr. Famida Jiwa
President and CEO, Osteoporosis Canada
Demetrios (Jim) Papamanolis
Chair, National Board of Directors
To our community of passionate advocates, volunteers, donors, healthcare partners, funders, ambassadors and people just like you – thank you!
Because, without you, we could not do what we do! Your voice, actions and generosity fuel everything we do at Osteoporosis Canada.
This past year, together, we have advocated for increased access to publicly funded treatments, the number of programs and support services have grown to support more people, resources have been provided to those with limited access to healthcare and we continue to inspire people across the country to be local champions in their communities by volunteering their time.
Together, we will make Canadians unbreakable.
“Greatly appreciate and value all of the Osteoporosis site. I have received an excellent education on this topic since becoming diagnosed with osteoporosis and since I became a member. All the webinars on the various topics have provided me with invaluable information. I feel much more knowledgeable and have easily shared with friends and my endocrinologist things I have learned here.
Osteoporosis Canada has made a significant contribution to my recovery and healing.
I am very grateful to all of you. Thank you.”
MY STORY by Anne Spik
“My life changed forever at that moment.”
Do you remember a moment when your life split into “before” and “after”?
For Anne, it was over two years ago, while still in bed, reaching up for a simple morning stretch.
That’s when she heard it – a single “pop” from the middle of her back.
The pain that followed was excruciating. Anne didn’t know it then, but she had osteoporosis and one simple stretch had broken her back.
The path to diagnosis was frustrating and eye-opening. In the emergency room, Anne went into shock right in front of the doctor. She sat down shaking, but despite her distress and was told, “Oh, it’s nothing. You pulled a muscle.” She was given a shot of morphine and sent home.
Still in pain, Anne followed up with her family doctor and after additional appointments she was able to have X-rays done. That was when she was told she had three compression fractures in her back.
“That’s right – I had broken three vertebrae. One was from my recent stretch. The other two were from previous times when I’d felt extreme pain after a cough or a sudden movement and had just powered through it.”
The doctor explained that when bones collapse like Anne’s had, there was no question about the diagnosis. She had been unknowingly living with osteoporosis for years.
The recovery was brutal. Anne spent three to four months trying to manage excruciating pain while still walking and moving. Some days, she wondered if she would ever feel “normal” again.
During those first frightening months, Anne visited the Osteoporosis Canada website daily, sometimes spending hours reading and learning, watching webinars, listening to podcasts and connecting with others.
“I am grateful to Osteoporosis Canada for the incredible resources available when I needed it most. The videos, educational materials and practical tips became my lifeline during one of the most frightening and confusing times I’d ever experienced.”
Anne then discovered a support group in her area. These monthly online meetings connect people across the Atlantic region who truly understand what living with osteoporosis means, sharing their challenges and tips for overcoming them.
“I always come away from the meetings having learned something new. For someone who’d never belonged to a support group, this community quickly became invaluable to both my physical and mental health.”
Anne also discovered Bone Fit™, a program that teaches health and fitness professionals how to develop and prescribe exercise for people with osteoporosis. Through the Osteoporosis Canada website, she found a kinesiologist in her area who is Bone Fit™ trained and began a strength-building program.
“I’m proud to say I’m now enjoying a regular exercise program! I’m strengthening my back, improving my balance and rebuilding my confidence. I’m eating better, too. The nutritional resources on the website inspired me to incorporate more bone-healthy foods into my diet.”
For Anne, life has definitely changed since her diagnosis. She has to think carefully about every movement and activity. She has given up rowing, which she loves, has adjusted to how she works in the garden, limiting herself to moving potted plants rather than heavy rocks and when it’s slippery outside, she simply doesn’t go out.
But she has also gained something invaluable: knowledge and community. Anne now tells people the Osteoporosis Canada website is unsurpassed.
“It’s like taking a whole course in osteoporosis. The education and support you give me is truly life changing.”
Today Anne continues to focus on her bone health and still attends the Atlantic support group where she continues to gain the knowledge, community and confidence needed to prioritize her health and live a happy, active life.
Anne Spik Osteoporosis Canada Advocate
French Language Programming
This past year Osteoporosis Canada has been able to serve more Canadians by increasing the amount of French language educational webinars for both the general public and healthcare providers in addition to programming and support services.
Our organization serves not only French speaking individuals in Quebec but in communities across the country meeting the current and growing needs of those living with osteoporosis and fragility fractures and needing support.
“Présentation très claire, intéressante et pertinente. Une bonne mise à jour des évidences scientifiques sur le sujet. J’ai bien aimé la section “FAQ””.
Fragility Fracture Network (FFN)
In December 2025, Osteoporosis Canada has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Fragility Fracture Network (FFN) to guide a two-year plan supporting orthogeriatric integration and best practices – partnering on joint projects with a focus on secondary fracture prevention.
FFN’s 4 pillars are acute care, rehabilitation, secondary prevention and policy.
The FFN – Osteoporosis Canada partnership will undertake coordinated initiatives across provinces and territories to standardize and elevate the quality of post-fracture care. By uniting orthopedic surgeons, geriatricians, rheumatologists, endocrinologists, internists, hospitalists, family doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, with the aim to bridge existing gaps in the Canadian healthcare system.
CMC 2026 – Canadian Musculoskeletal Conference
On Friday, March 27, 2026 Osteoporosis Canada hosted the 2026 CMC – Canadian Musculoskeletal Conference.
This professional educational symposium focused on bone and muscle health including rare skeletal and metabolic bone diseases, led by national experts in osteoporosis and musculoskeletal health.
This flagship event brought together 240 clinicians, researchers, and trainees from across Canada, featuring dedicated streams on primary care, rare bone disease, and specialty medicine.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with over 95% of survey respondents rating the conference excellent and 80% reporting it will directly influence their clinical practice.
Planning is already underway for CMC 2028.
Educational Webinars
“I thoroughly enjoyed the webinar and found it very useful. I have significantly benefited from Osteoporosis Canada and am immensely grateful to all the many services and information it provides.
Thank you all so very much.”
“What a great webinar; cooking expertise and nutrition woven in throughout.
I’m so impressed with Osteoporosis Canada. I’m looking forward to learning more from your online resources as well.”
Webinars
Total: 20 | Registrants: 9,400+
Programs + Support Services
Osteoporosis Canada staff in partnership with dedicated volunteers across Canada, are committed to providing the highest quality services, education and support services to help Canadians take care of their bone and muscle health and in navigating their healthcare journey.
Programs and support groups are safe spaces for people with lived experiences to learn from one another, discuss self-management, talk freely with peers, exchange ideas while offering each other the support only someone in a similar situation can provide.
“I have to say that I am thankful to have found Osteoporosis.ca in all my searching for good, reliable information. At my most recent doctor’s appointment, I was singing the praises of this resource and especially the monthly zoom meetings.
What you do is valuable to me in my osteoporosis journey. You are indeed helpful!”
“I wanted to thank you and all those who are part of this group. I have been greatly encouraged and educated to be able to go forward striving to be more intentional about exercise and posture, more conscious of the food I eat to get all of the nutrients I can thru food. You have helped me ask better question of my healthcare providers.
My life is full, with my family and friends, you have helped me live this life better.”
Programs + Support Services
Total: 397 | Registrants: 10,000+
TOTAL REACH + ENGAGEMENT
Website
Users: 900,000+ | Views: 4.2 Million+
Digital Tools Nutrient Calculator + Know Your Risk Views: 209,000+ | Completions: 36,500+
Webinars Total: 20 Streams: 9,400+
Podcasts (from original air date) Total: 32 Streams: 82,400+
Programs + Support Services Total: 397 Registrations: 10,000+
Volunteers Hours: 2,200+
Ontario
British Columbia
Manitoba
Nova Scotia
Osteoporosis Canada’s Program Fund encompasses revenue and expenses related to education, advocacy and awareness, administration and fundraising. It ended the year with a surplus of $402,089. The Program Fund balance at fiscal year-end was $1,063,015.
The Reserve Fund, set up to mitigate against unexpected situations involving a revenue shortage or unexpected expenses, had a fiscal year end balance of $1,438,558.
The Scientific Activity Fund which provides the funding for projects related to clinical and educational work specific to Bone Health, had a balance of $1,494,735 at the end of the fiscal year.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff, volunteers, and management of Osteoporosis Canada for their continued commitment to the success of the organization.
Sincerely,
Celeste Munger
Treasurer, National Board of Directors
Osteoporosis Canada Leadership
2026 Board of Directors
Demetrios (Jim) Papamanolis Chair | Toronto, ON
Celeste Munger Vice-Chair and Treasurer | Vancouver, BC
Emily Bartens Director | Hamilton, ON
Kim Buote Director | Toronto, ON
Dr. Claudia Gagnon Director | Quebec City, QC
Dr. Robert G. Josefchak Director | St. Catharines, ON
